DIY Air Sealing and Insulation or Call In A Professional?

The essential first step in sealing air leaks is to locate the source of each and every leak in a house, from the major ones right down to small or narrow cracks and gaps. Getting a home energy audit from a professional contractor is the most reliable way to pinpoint the location of all leaks. During an energy audit, a technician will use advanced diagnostic procedures including blower door tests and/or thermographic scans to identify areas where the home is not airtight. While it may be possible to detect large leaks and gaps without the help of a contractor, these tests are the most comprehensive option available.

Do-It-Yourself Air Sealing

There are many areas in a home where air leakage is easy to discover and to fix yourself. Some of these areas include:

• Windows and Doors - The weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors.

• Electrical outlets – Any outlet located on outside facing walls are commonly overlooked, but notorious for air leakage. Simply install foam gaskets behind the outlets and switch plates for an easy, affordable fix.

• Air Ducts - Conditioned air escapes through improperly sealed joints and is lost to the unconditioned space where the duct is located. Relatively inexpensive and easy to apply, duct mastic should be used to seal these joints to prevent air leakage and increase efficiency. 

• Attic Hatch – Adding weather stripping around the frame of the attic hatch and 4-inch foam board to the hatch can help reduce this energy loss. If your attic hatch has attached stairs, an attic tent can also be effective.

Air Sealing and Insulation: Problems Requiring Professional Remediation

For those homeowners with little to no experience working with the aforementioned materials, or who want extensive retrofits outside the bounds of reasonable time and materials, hiring a professional contractor is recommended. They have the specialized knowledge, tools and equipment to comprehensively seal a residential building in a relatively short period of time. The professional can maximize energy while still allowing for proper airflow throughout the home. This additional investment in professional expertise will pay dividends for years to come.

Examples of air sealing and insulationrelated problems that should be brought to the attention of a contractor include:

• Water-saturated insulation caused by a roof leaks

• Vents which release moist or humid air into the attic instead of the outdoors

• The presence of knob and tube wiring, which creates an elevated risk of fire if it lies within close proximity to fiberglass insulation*

• Recurrent ice dams in gutters and attics during the winter

• Attic rafters and floor joists which are showing signs of rot or mold infestation

• Inadequate attic ventilation

• Recessed light fixtures which require insulation

Not only will professional attention vastly improve the energy efficiency of the home, but it will also help to raise the overall resale value of the house and make it more attractive to potential future buyers.  Call Windows on Washington - your Northern Virginia and Maryland energy experts - for a free estimate.

*Note: If the home has knob and tube wiring, it should be updated by an electrician or qualified contractor. Like other home efficiency improvements, updated wiring will significantly enhance the home’s market value while reducing the risk of fire.